Public Disclosure Authorized Public Disclosure Authorized Public Disclosure Authorized Public Disclosure Authorized Date ISDS Prepared/Updated: 09-Dec-2015 INTEGRATED SAFEGUARDS DATA SHEET APPRAISAL STAGE Date ISDS Approved/Disclosed: 13-Dec-2015 I. BASIC INFORMATION 1. Basic Project Data Country: Afghanistan Project ID: P131228 Project Name: DABS Planning And Capacity Support (P131228) Task Team Abdul Hamid Quraishi Leader(s): Estimated 25-Jan-2016 Appraisal Date: Managing Unit: GEE06 Estimated Board Date: Lending Instrument: Report.: ISDSA8970 25-Feb-2016 Technical Assistance Loan Sector(s): Transmission and Distribution of Electricity (100%) Theme(s): Other public sector governance (100%) Is this project processed under OP 8.50 (Emergency Recovery) or OP 8.00 (Rapid Response to Crises and Emergencies)? Financing (In USD Million) Total Project Cost: 6.00 Total Bank Financing: 0.00 Financing Gap: 0.00 Financing Source Amount Borrower 0.00 Afghanistan Reconstruction Trust Fund 6.00 Total 6.00 Environmental B - Partial Assessment Category: Is this a Repeater project? 2. Project Development Objective(s) The Project Development Objective is to improve DABS capacity in distribution investment planning, implementation, operation and maintenance. 3. Project Description The proposed DABS planning and Capacity Support Project would be comprised of two components: (1) DABS staff capacity building; (2) Training center development. The description and Page 1 of 7
objectives of each of these components are summarized below: Component 1: DABS staff capacity building. This component would support capacity building for e staff of DABS including: Providing general and task-specific training to managers and staff on distribution investment selection, planning and implementation Providing general and task-specific training to managers and staff on distribution operation planning and implementation. Providing one-on-one mentoring support to managers and key specialists in the DABS planning and O&M functions. Adopting and integrating the Afghanistan Energy Information Center into the asset management department of DABS. Assisting DABS in empowering women s participation in the sector through provision of learning opportunities to them. Component 2: Training center development. This component would support development of a training center in DABS including: Design, construction and furnishing of the training center building. Purchase of training and office equipment to equip the Training Center for the DABS that will be used primarily for the capacity building activities 4. Project location and salient physical characteristics relevant to the safeguard analysis (if known) The project is designed primarily as a capacity development project that will prepare and strengthen the capabilities of DABS for its tasks as a transparent and responsive service provider in the power sector. The project interventions will be consistent with the Government s and World Bank s safeguards policies and guidelines. The training will take place in Kabul. The proposed activities under the component 1 of this project will only involve technical and analytical assistance, advisory services, and building capacity of DABS to deliver its services to support the power distribution planning and investment. The training center will be constructed on the premises of the power plant in the Tarakhil area in the Dehsabz district of Kabul which would be the only civil works or tangible investment with salient physical characteristics to be supported under this projec 5. Environmental and Social Safeguards Specialists Mohammad Yasin ori (GSURR) Obaidullah Hidayat (GENDR) 6. Safeguard Policies Triggered? Explanation (Optional) Environmental Yes The OP/BP 4.01 on Environmental Assessment is Page 2 of 7
Assessment OP/BP 4.01 Natural Habitats OP/BP 4.04 triggered because of possible negative impacts associated with: Component 1, which will finance trainings on preparation of feasibility studies, detailed engineering designs and bidding documents for the rehabilitation and/or construction of future distribution network/lines, and therefore, the siting of poles, pylons and substations associated with the supply of distribution lines, and the safe disposal of removed materials that may contain hazardous substances. These are likely to be small, temporary, local and readily avoided, reversed or mitigated and will be managed through project specific ESMPs. Component 2 will finance the civil works related to the construction of the training center including managing construction waste, dust and noise pollution, increased construction traffic, establishment of temporary workers camp etc. These impacts are expected to small and temporary and either reversed or mitigated through an ESMP and construction contracts. This policy is not triggered, because the project components are not expected to be in the area of any Natural Habitat or will not have any impact on it. Forests OP/BP 4.36 The project activities do not impact forests in any way, as defined by the policy Pest Management OP 4.09 The project will neither finance pesticides nor will they be used in the project Physical Cultural Resources OP/BP 4.11 Indigenous Peoples OP/ BP 4.10 Involuntary Resettlement OP/BP 4.12 Yes OP/BP 4.11 is not triggered because there is no indication of presence of physical cultural resources within the premises of the power plant in Tarakhil village, selected for the construction of the training center building. However, the site specific ESMP for the civil work under component 2, will include guidelines for a Chance Find Procedure in accordance to National Law. This policy is not triggered as there are no Indigenous Peoples that meet the criteria of OP/BP 4.10 within the project area that could potentially benefit or be adversely affected by the Project s investments. This technical assistance project will neither involve involuntary resettlement nor land acquisition. However, this policy is triggered as feasibility studies for future power distribution investment projects may recommend some limited land acquisition. Training on the preparation of pre-feasibility/feasibility studies on power distribution planning and investment will be financed under Page 3 of 7
Safety of Dams OP/BP 4.37 Projects on International Waterways OP/BP 7.50 Projects in Disputed Areas OP/BP 7.60 II. Key Safeguard Policy Issues and Their Management A. Summary of Key Safeguard Issues component 1. Very small areas of land may be bought outright (willing buyer- willing seller) to facilitate the siting of electricity poles and pylons. A Resettlement Policy Framework (RPF) is included as part of the ESMF to guide preparation of Resettlement Action Plan (where required). The project does not have any activity involving dams. The project does not have any activity that will affect international waterways. The project does not involve any activity in any known disputed area. 1. Describe any safeguard issues and impacts associated with the proposed project. Identify and describe any potential large scale, significant and/or irreversible impacts: environmental and social impacts are envisaged under component one of this Technical Assistance project. Capacity building to improve preparation of pre-feasibility and feasibility studies is a core element of this component and will include a range of training initiatives to help DABS staff identify and address potential downstream environmental and social impacts associated with the planning and implementation of future distribution investment projects. This ESMF, therefore, sets out general policies, codes of practice, guidelines and procedures to inform the content and design of such trainings and help DABS staff manage potential environmental and social impacts in future power investment projects. It should be noted that negative impacts of power distribution projects are considered negligible and limited to the siting of poles and sub power stations as well as the safe disposal of old transformers which may contain hazardous materials such as polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB). Construction of the training center under component two may cause limited, temporary and localized impacts including dust and noise pollution, increased construction traffic, establishment of temporary workers camp etc. These impacts are expected to be small and temporary and either reversed or mitigated through an Environmental and Social Management Plan (ESMP) and construction contracts. 2. Describe any potential indirect and/or long term impacts due to anticipated future activities in the project area: The DABS Planning and Capacity Support supported activities are not expected to cause any potential indirect or long term impacts because appropriate institutional arrangements for environmental and social management would be put in place throughout project implementation 3. Describe any project alternatives (if relevant) considered to help avoid or minimize adverse impacts. The proposed civil work under component two for construction of the training center building will be constructed in the premises of the power plant in Tarakhil village in Dehsabz district, and therefore no alternatives were considered. 4. Describe measures taken by the borrower to address safeguard policy issues. Provide an Page 4 of 7
assessment of borrower capacity to plan and implement the measures described. The implementing agency is Da Afghanistan Brishna Shirkat (DABS), and has prepared an ESMF for this project. The Chief Operating Officer (COO) of DABS will have overall responsibility for ensuring compliance with the requirements set out in the ESMF. The environmental and social safeguards officers assigned to the Naghlu Hydropower Rehabilitation Project (NHRP) will also take responsibility for overseeing the implementation of this project s ESMF provisions during preparation, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of all distribution investment projects. DABS will also prepare an ESMP for the project, once the exact location of the training center in Tarakhel compound is determined, and after the completion of the design of the training center. Currently, procurement of a consulting firm to design the training center is under way, but the design can be completed within five months only after the project approval. The NHRP s safeguards officers have benefited from several training events organized by the Bank office in Kabul, including training in Management of Land Acquisition, Resettlement and Rehabilitation organized by BRAC University/World Bank. Likewise, the capacity building activities under preparation of pre-feasibility and feasibility studies (component one of this project) will include training for DABS staff on all aspects of the ESMF including the ESIA process, preparation of site-specific ESMPs for investment projects, monitoring and reporting on progress of Environmental and Social Management issues or otherwise. Emphasis will be placed on creating/raising awareness of and building capacity to manage social and environmental issues among DABS staff, including the relevant safeguards focal officers. 5. Identify the key stakeholders and describe the mechanisms for consultation and disclosure on safeguard policies, with an emphasis on potentially affected people. The major stakeholders are MEW, DABS, NEPA, relevant NGOs, relevant private sector entities, academia and particularly the relevant local communities if especially in the distribution system in the future projects. Also, the DABSs staff will be properly trained how to undertake a meaningful consultation with the relevant stakeholders in a way and format they understand. B. Disclosure Requirements Environmental Assessment/Audit/Management Plan/Other Date of receipt by the Bank 09-Apr-2015 Date of submission to InfoShop 05-May-2015 For category A projects, date of distributing the Executive //// Summary of the EA to the Executive Directors "In country" Disclosure Afghanistan 25-Apr-2015 Comments: Only an ESMF has been prepared for the project at this stage, disclosed on 25- Apr-2015. Resettlement Action Plan/Framework/Policy Process Date of receipt by the Bank //// Date of submission to InfoShop //// Page 5 of 7
"In country" Disclosure Comments: Technical Assistance Project For a TA project which will finance the preparation of a specific safeguards instrument, please indicate type of document disclosed, if any. An ESMF with RPF has been prepared for the DABS capacity development project. If the project triggers the Pest Management and/or Physical Cultural Resources policies, the respective issues are to be addressed and disclosed as part of the Environmental Assessment/ Audit/or EMP. If in-country disclosure of any of the above documents is not expected, please explain why: C. Compliance Monitoring Indicators at the Corporate Level OP/BP/GP 4.01 - Environment Assessment Does the project require a stand-alone EA (including EMP) report? If yes, then did the Regional Environment Unit or Practice Manager (PM) review and approve the EA report? Are the cost and the accountabilities for the EMP incorporated in the credit/loan? OP/BP 4.12 - Involuntary Resettlement Has a resettlement plan/abbreviated plan/policy framework/ process framework (as appropriate) been prepared? If yes, then did the Regional unit responsible for safeguards or Practice Manager review the plan? Is physical displacement/relocation expected? Provided estimated number of people to be affected Is economic displacement expected? (loss of assets or access to assets that leads to loss of income sources or other means of livelihoods) Yes [ ] [ ] NA [ ] Yes [ ] [ ] NA [ ] Yes [ ] [ ] NA [ ] Yes [ ] [ ] NA [ ] Yes [ ] [ ] NA [ ] Yes [ ] [ ] TBD [ ] Yes [ ] [ ] TBD [ ] Provided estimated number of people to be affected The World Bank Policy on Disclosure of Information Have relevant safeguard policies documents been sent to the World Bank's Infoshop? Have relevant documents been disclosed in-country in a public place in a form and language that are understandable and accessible to project-affected groups and local NGOs? All Safeguard Policies Have satisfactory calendar, budget and clear institutional responsibilities been prepared for the implementation of measures related to safeguard policies? Yes [ ] [ ] NA [ ] Yes [ ] [ ] NA [ ] Yes [ ] [ ] NA [ ] Page 6 of 7
Have costs related to safeguard policy measures been included in the project cost? Does the Monitoring and Evaluation system of the project include the monitoring of safeguard impacts and measures related to safeguard policies? Have satisfactory implementation arrangements been agreed with the borrower and the same been adequately reflected in the project legal documents? Yes [ ] [ ] NA [ ] Yes [ ] [ ] NA [ ] Yes [ ] [ ] NA [ ] III. APPROVALS Task Team Leader(s): Name: Abdul Hamid Quraishi Approved By Safeguards Advisor: Name: Zia Al Jalaly (SA) Date: 09-Dec-2015 Practice Manager/ Manager: Name: Julia Bucknall (PMGR) Date: 13-Dec-2015 Page 7 of 7